Use of Class Time and Student Attentiveness in Secondary Instrumental Music Rehearsals

Abstract

This study investigated secondary instrumental music rehearsals with respect to use of class time by teachers and attentiveness of students. Data were gathered from observations of 48 orchestra and band classes. Student attentiveness was observed and recorded, using intervallic observation procedures. Class time use was determined by ex post facto analysis of rehearsal tapes with a stop watch; activities were classified either as student performance, teaching, or getting ready. Both class time use and student attentiveness were related to class genre (orchestra/band). In orchestra classes, teaching episodes were fewer ( p < .001) and of longer duration ( p < .01) than in band classes. The amount of time spent getting ready was greater in orchestra classes than in band classes ( p < .05). Orchestra students were less attentive both in performance ( p < .05) and in nonperformance conditions ( p < .001). Results are discussed in context of previous research on time use and attentiveness.